Young Knights optimistic about season

The Knights also practiced 'strip drills,' in which they try to pry the ball loose from opponents. Photo by Steve Smith.

The Knights also practiced 'strip drills,' in which they try to pry the ball loose from opponents. Photo by Steve Smith.

Steve Smith, Staff WriterReminder News

The Ellington/Somers Knights are heading into the football season with high optimism.

"We're very young and very athletic," said coach Sean Byrne, at the team's second practice on Aug. 19. "We've got a lot of skill players – running backs and receivers. I think we'll be a lot more explosive this year, and next year too."

The team lost about a dozen graduates last year, but brings in about 15 sophomores – some with experience – who will see a lot of playing time.

The Knights will be trying to replace the hole at quarterback left by two-time all-conference passer Joe Leslie. Nate Lajoie and Christian Ryder are the top two candidates, but Byrne said fans should not expect to see a two-headed monster behind center. "We'll pick one," he said. "I'm of the philosophy that if you have two, you don't have one. So, we'll make a decision and go with it. The good thing is the other guy will play defense, so it's not like he'll be unemployed."

With all those weapons, look for the Knights to spread out defenses and throw the ball more often than not, regardless of who's taking the snaps.

"Traditionally, we're more of a run-based team," Byrne said. "We've been working a lot the past year or so, developing the passing game. We've got a few new wrinkles this year. It's exciting – the kids have been enjoying it so far."

In practice, the young players have been working on fundamentals, including how to run routes, and making blocks.

The Knights will also be playing for the memory of Austin Tautkus, an EHS class of 2013 grad who passed away this summer in an ATV accident. The team's helmets bear a #2 sticker, which was Tautkus's number when he played on the team.

"The seniors played with him when they were sophomores, and the juniors when they were freshmen," Byrne said. "A lot of them played baseball or basketball with him. After he graduated, he kept coming back to practice and hanging out with us coaches. The first few days out here were tough. I was kind of trying to deal with stuff and work out the emotions."

Byrne said that emotion will serve as fuel for the players, and the Knights should be rather competitive again this season.

"We have the potential to be a very good team, and we have the potential to be a .500 team. It could go either way," he said. "I think we have a chance to compete for a league title, if things come together."

The key will be getting the young players to execute, and staying focused.

"One of our big problems last year was our secondary, and guys not doing their job," he said. "We're focusing on doing what we're asking you to do, and not freelancing."

The Knights start the season at rival Avon on Sept. 13, and then travel to Windsor Locks/Suffield/East Granby on Sept. 20.

Byrne said the Avon game will be a great test for his young team. "That's the one that's been circled for us," he said. "They're huge and they're tough. That will tell us how good we are."